Search - Jewel - Live At Humphrey's By The Bay on DVD

I thought it was delightful

Furiae | USA | 05/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First, let me get this off my chest: Finally, a Jewel concert on DVD!This is Jewel's first concert release on DVD. I thought it was great-- no rapid cuts between cameras, no quirky sound issues, and the picture is crisp, clean, and clear. Jewel is radiant, and I thought this recording did well to capture her sense of humor.For those who prefer pre-0304 before the makeover, this was performed well before 0304, so it's folkie-acoustic-Jewel. Whether you like her recent transformation or not, this DVD boasts the same great voice her fans have come to know and love.Though some have complained about the sound, it's not an issue unless you're *really, really, really* a sound buff. I popped it in the player and was able to enjoy it just fine with my TV speakers and the occasional stereo headphone (when I play it on the computer). About 3/4 of the songs are done solo, so fans of "Jewel & Guitar" won't be disappointed. The last four songs (You Were Meant For Me, Hands, Everybody Needs Someone Sometime, Who Will Save Your Soul) are performed with a band backing her up. (She picks up the electric guitar in the 'Hands' performance.)Also included are 3 bonus performances of Love Me Just Leave Me Alone, Do You Want to Play, and Jesus Loves You. There's also a Standing Still video, which is basically a montage of various behind the scenes and concert clips showing while the song is playing. Then there's an interview with Jewel that's about 12 minutes long in which she talks about her creative process and the long break she took between before recording 'This Way.'Jewel's forte is live performances. Though I wish there were more songs, I'll take what I can get. I especially enjoyed her lively banter with her audience, and it was great fun to see her start off her concert with opera, off all things, a cappella. I also liked Who Will Save Your Soul, which when performed live nowadays is nothing like what it was on the album. It's become a jazzy number that serves her as a vehicle for improv, and improv she definitely does on this one!Just to set the record straight, I did some research on Jewel since some people have complained that the material is old (from 2001). The new tour for the 0304 CD is currently underway in the US, so it's 1) impossible to get a concert DVD for the new tour, since it still hasn't wrapped up yet, which means 2) this DVD was probably released partly to help promote the 0304 tour. Sound quality I thought was fine. Jewel's voice rang crystal clear. Picture quality was terrific, clear, and sharp-- no fuzziness/blurriness like on Sarah McLachlan's Mirrorball DVD. The editing wasn't distracting in the slightest, so no rapid-chops like on Sheryl Crow's C'mon America release. If you're a Jewel fan, definitely get this. If you like the genre or if you loved Lillith Fair, this should be of interest to you. However, if the thought of a girl and her guitar for an hour makes you sleepy just thinking about it, pass on this. My take on this is that it isn't my all-time favorite concert, but it was worth the money and I'm definitely happy with this purchase. I like the genre, I like Jewel, and this concert was 15 bucks decently spent."

Much anticipated; somewhat disappointing

a music lover | Chicago, il United States | 03/25/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"First of all I am a big Jewel fan. I think she is simply an amazing talent. Just recently saw her on her solo acoustic tour here in the Midwest. She was simply stunning and I have been waiting for her to come out with a live DVD for awhile now. Unfortunately this is a bit disappointing. My initial feel is that product was somehow rushed to take advantage of the current craze for DVD material. My first question is why footage from 2001? I mean it's already mid 2004. The footage somehow seems "old". Jewel is beautiful as always on stage. The camera work is top notch. I hate when there are too many rapid cuts here and there and thankfully this doesn't suffer from that. Even the song list is acceptable, albeit 2001. The first 9 songs are acoustic solo which again is great. The next 4 are with her band, though they are very subdued and are almost non-exsistent. My biggest complaint is the sound mix and mastering are awful by today's standards. The whole acoustic portion has a very dry mechanical sound to it. It lacks sufficient dynamic range and though Jewel does her typical vocal tricks it somehow leaves the listener feeling unemotional and uninvolved. I have bootleg recordings of Jewel that capture her vocal dynamics and finesse better than this DVD. When the band finally plays the bass drum has no punch and the snare has no snap. The bass guitar sounds very weak, overall very disappointing. The bonus tracks are recorded much better but still leave a lot to be desired. I would have enjoyed a much better cross section of material from the early days right up to the present. I realize that the "This Way" tour might not have been as exciting because of Jewels horse riding accident. I have seen footage from the early part of that tour and she can't hardly move at all. Almost
every bootleg recording and video I have represents Jewel in a better light than this DVD. I still can't somehow feel this was a rush job. Still waiting for the real Jewel Kilcher DVD to arrive. I am very picky about how things sound and having heard Jewel live in person, and other live recordings, this is a big dissapointment sound wise. That's why I rated it a 3 but it's really a 2.5. Every Jewel fan should buy this DVD, if you are looking for stellar sound this will disappoint. Thanks for reading."

Just Right

D. Ohnemus | Soldotna, Alaska USA | 10/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have listened to Jewel since she started. I like her music and anybody can tell me anything they want about it this aging hippie still likes it..including 0304.
I hadn't seen any footage of her, had only heard her. This dvd was just what I wanted to see, her and her guitar on stage singing to a moderately sized audience. No grand theatrics or light shows, just simple music and a beautiful voice.
If I have any complaints it would be that I wanted more but then if she gave it I would still want more.
All in all the dvd is very enjoyable, doesn't get you seasick with camera tricks or poor editing. Just plain music from someone who can keep it simple and wonderful at the same time."

A Heart on Display

Rebecca Johnson | Washington State | 03/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Please don't say I love you,
Those words touch me much too deeply.
They make my core tremble.
Don't think you realize the effect you have over me.
And please don't look at me like that,
It just makes me want to make you near me always.

Jewel's music, her poems and her concerts all show a heart on display. In her first concert disc, there is an overwhelming feeling of intimacy and connection.

So break me
Take me
Just let me
Feel your arms again
Break me
Make me
Just let me
Feel your love again

The intellectual dances with the child as Jewel's heart opens to the world. She is in touch with the pulse of humanity and even her political statements show an intuitive understanding of society.

Welcome to the new wild west
Each man for himself
A nation of civilized steeples
And lonely people
Welcome to the new wild west

"The New Wild West" is stunning in content and such a contrast to her love songs. Some of her songs had me in tears and a few left me stunned because her lyrics were potent and intellectually pleasurable.

Songs:

Per la Gloria d'Adorarvi
Near You Always
Kiss the Flame
Rosy and Mick
Everything Breaks Sometimes
Sometimes It Be That Way
Grey Matter
Break Me
The New Wild West
You Were Meant for Me
Hands
Everybody Needs Someone Sometime
Who Will Save Your Soul

Bonus Performances:

Love Me Just Leave Me Alone
Do You Want to Play?
Jesus Loves You

I loved the part where she invites a girl up on the stage to whisper the words as she sings. It is amusing, although we can't imagine she would really forget the words. She plays along nicely and the audience is amused to no end.

At times she is sassy as she dances before singing, but she continually connects with the audience in a way I've rarely seen. There is an interesting change as she goes from playing and singing with her guitar, to playing with her band. There is a change from intimacy to a more professional formality. While I noticed this change, she still remains authentic throughout the performance.

Extras: A short interview with Jewel and a photo gallery.

Also recommended:

A Night Without Armor : Poems
Chasing Down the Dawn (More observations about our society...)

~The Rebecca Review"